Officials and scholars attending the 2004 Internet Conference in Beijing say China needs to improve Internet access to rural areas.

Officials also want to encourage farmers, who currently only make up two percent of Internet users, to use the Internet more.

Internet access levels are much higher in the east coast cities than in the poorer middle and western part of China.

Experts suggest offering training courses for the people in middle and western part of China, and minorities and farmers and improving Internet facilities in rural areas.

(CRI September 3, 2004)